12-15-2014, 05:02 PM
Dharus Wrote:Alien is about the only sci-fi film I would rank up there with Star Wars in terms of long term significance.
I am not sure what long term significance means but their were certainly great Sci Fi movies/show before Star Wars that influenced Lucas. You make Starwars seem like everything changed for SciFi post Starwars and that isn't the case at all. Their was plenty of quality SciFi out there before Starwars.
A list-
Close Encounters, Planet of the Apes, War of the Worlds, WestWorld, Soylent Green, Omega Man, Silent Running, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Thing, Outland and Alien as you mentioned. (some would put Blade Runner on this list but I wouldn't)
B list-
Logans Run, Mad Max, The Black Hole, When Worlds Collide, Journey to the Center of the Earth, 10 Millon year BC, The Time Machine, Voyage to the bottom of the Sea, and Night of the Living Dead.
TV-
Twilight Zone (which might be the most influencial TV show ever), Outer Limits, Quartermass and the Pit.
War of the Worlds which came out in 1953 is highly regarded as the most influencial Sci Fi movie of the 20th Century.
I am certainly not debating the importance of Starwars fame on SciFi but their are many other products out there that pushed forward quality SciFi. Most of the movies I listed above certainly sustained the test of time as far as quality goes. The Thing, Alien or War of the Worlds is as good today as it was then which is something Starwars certainly can't claim.